Heroin Played Part In I-90 West Car Crash, Police Say

WESTLAKE, OH — Police had to shut down I-90 west after two car crashes left cars strewn across all lanes of traffic on November 10, Westlake police said. Police believe heroin may have played a part in the crash.

At 6:45 p.m., a concerned driver called police and said a "reckless Toyota" on I-90 west was driving nearly 100 mph. After police spoke to the caller, officers got reports of a serious car crash on I-90 west near Columbia.

When police arrived they discovered a Toyota had hit another car and both vehicles spun out. Traffic slowed to avoid the spinning cars, and as vehicles decelerated a car was rear-ended, police said.

Cars were strewn across all of I-90's lanes and the highway was shut down while police investigated.

Officers spoke to the driver of the Toyota, a 44-year-old from Bay Village, and he seemed lethargic, police said. He told officers he had been using heroin. He was taken to the hospital for treatment before being taken to Westlake Jail. A white powder was found in the man's possession, police said.

Police said the man had a suspended driver's license and will be charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, driving under suspension and felony possession of heroin.

The driver who rear-ended a car was also intoxicated, police said. She was also taken to the hospital for minor injuries. She took a urine test and results are pending, a Westlake police spokesperson said.

The 23-year-old Avon Lake woman has been charged with failure to maintain assured clear distance and operating a vehicle impaired.

Police said I-90 west was closed for over an hour while vehicles and debris were investigated and removed.